Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The Kerala Chief Minister has ordered a police inquiry into a controversy involving alleged payoffs to the Chief Minister's daughter and son-in-law, stemming from information provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Key points
- Police inquiry ordered into the CMRL-Exalogic payoff controversy.
- Inquiry centers on allegations involving the CM's daughter and son-in-law.
- Chief Minister states the inquiry is not for targeting or revenge.
- Decision based on legal scrutiny and advice from Advocate General and DGP.
- ED report to State Police Chief cited alleged illicit financial transactions.
Background & context
The case involves allegations of payments made to individuals connected to the Chief Minister by a company, as per information shared by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Supreme Court's ruling in Lalita Kumari versus the State of Uttar Pradesh (2013) is relevant regarding preliminary inquiries before registering FIRs in corruption cases.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The inquiry was ordered following a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Polity and Governance): Role of investigative agencies (ED, Police), legal procedures in corruption cases, accountability of public officials. GS Paper IV (Ethics): Probity in public life, conflict of interest.
Why in news?
K. Annamalai has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to uncover the network behind alleged continued crimes by industrialist R. Veeramani, who is accused under the POCSO Act, and to bring to justice those who shielded him.
Key points
- Industrialist R. Veeramani faces charges under the POCSO Act for alleged sexual exploitation of minor children.
- Annamalai demands an SIT to investigate the alleged network of shielding the accused.
- Calls for accountability of police officers, politicians, and influential individuals involved.
- Allegations of significant monetary exchanges to shield the accused.
- Concerns raised about past mistakes by Tamil Nadu Police and safeguarding victim identities.
Background & context
R. Veeramani, also known as 'Gem Granite' Veeramani, was a pioneer in the Indian granite industry. The case involves charges of sexual assault against minor girls, with a Special Court for POCSO Act cases ordering further inquiries after the police initially sought to close the investigation. The complaint was filed by a child rights NGO.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The case against R. Veeramani is being investigated under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Polity and Governance): Law and order, functioning of police, role of investigative agencies, accountability. GS Paper IV (Ethics): Issues related to child protection, corruption, abuse of power.
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has heard a plea seeking a time-bound decision on disqualification proceedings against 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, but stopped short of fixing a specific deadline for Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Key points
- Supreme Court heard a plea by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee seeking timely disqualification proceedings.
- Proceedings are against 20 rebel TMC MPs aligned with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
- The court did not mandate a specific time limit for Speaker Om Birla.
- Solicitor General urged the court not to fix the Speaker's schedule.
- Reference was made to the Keshab Meghachandra Singh versus Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly case regarding 'complete inaction'.
Background & context
Disqualification proceedings against MPs are typically governed by the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (Anti-defection Law). The Supreme Court often intervenes to ensure timely action by legislative bodies in such matters.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution deals with anti-defection provisions.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Polity and Governance): Constitutional provisions (Tenth Schedule), role of the Speaker, judicial review of legislative proceedings, anti-defection law.